Vishtèn, The East Pointers Big Winners At Music PEI Awards
Two of the Island's most popular international touring acts took home three trophies apiece in Charlottetown yesterday. Rachel Beck (pictured) was a double winner.
By FYI Staff
Vishtèn and the East Pointers were the two big winners at the 2019 Music PEI Awards, held yesterday afternoon (Jan. 27) at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel.
Each act took home three trophies. Vishtèn won the Congrès Mundial 2019 Francophone Artist, Group Recording and PEI Tea Company Roots Traditional Recording Awards, with The East Pointers winning the Bandzoogle Digital Achievement of the Year, HopYard Entertainer of the Year and Fly PEI Touring artist of the Year Awards.
Double award winners included Dennis Ellsworth, Meaghan Blanchard and Rachel Beck, with Ellsworth accepting the SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Award on Jan. 24 at the SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Concert.
According to a Music PEI press release, the Awards show "was not a glitzy gala affair. A couple of years ago, Music PEI Executive Director Rob Oakie thought it would be more fun to create a party-like atmosphere. Galas in the music biz are becoming less popular and the Awards Party allows the nominees to relax, see old and new friends, have some fun and especially to celebrate each other. Of course, everyone still wants to win, but the music community on PEI is a pretty tight and supportive bunch. There were lots of high-fives all around."
Hosted by Tara MacLean, trophies were presented by many of the sponsors, funders, Music PEI Board members and some special guests.
The following is a list of winners:
Achievement in Classical or Jazz Music Award- Atlantic String Machine
Credit Union Album of the Year- Meaghan Blanchard – The Great Escape
Country Recording of the Year – Lawrence Maxwell – Not Your Outlaw
Cover Band/Artist of the Year – Danny Drouin
Bandzoogle Digital Achievement of the Year – The East Pointers
Electronic Single Recording of the Year – Russell Louder - Showdown
HopYard Entertainer of the Year – The East Pointers
The Buzz Event of the Year – PEI Mutual Festival of Small Halls
Congrès Mondial Acadien 2019 Francophone Artist of the Year – Vishtèn
The Buzz Group Recording of the Year – Vishtèn - Horizons
Live Music Programmer of the Year – Pat Deighan
ArsenaultBestCameronEllis Musician of the Year – Evan McCosham
Holland College/Lloyd Doyle New Artist of the Year – Rachel Beck – Rachel Beck
Downtown Charlottetown Inc. Pop Recording of the Year – Rachel Beck – Rachel Beck
Producer of the Year – Jon Matthews
Long & McQuade Recording Studio of the Year – The Sound Mill Recording Studio
3rd Degree Training Rock/Loud Recording of the Year – Andrew Waite - Tremors
Roots Contemporary Recording of the Year – Meaghan Blanchard – The Great Escape
PEI Tea Co. Roots Traditional Recording of the Year - Vishtèn - Horizons
SOCAN Songwriter of the Year – Dennis Ellsworth – She’s Never Wrong
Solo Recording of the Year – Dylan Menzie – As the Clock Re-Winds
HGS Song of the Year - Dennis Ellsworth – She’s Never Wrong
Fly PEI Touring Artist of the Year – The East Pointers
Urban Recording of the Year – Vince The Messenger- Self Sabotage
SOCAN Venue of the Year – Trailside Music Café & Inn
Video of the Year – Kinley – Golden Days (Director Jenna MacMillan)
Visual Artist of the Year – Brendan Henry
A number of Awards are annually given out by the Music PEI Board of Directors. This year the Board awarded the following recipients:
Community Contributor of the Year – Phase II
Maritime Electric Educator of the Year – Christine Blanchard
Industry Person of the Year - Debbie Atkinson
Live Music Production Professional of the Year - Chris Knox
Lifetime Achievement - Paul Bernard
Deep Roots Distillery Rooted in the Island - Tracy Cantin
Volunteer of the Year - Mary Lee Little
Music PEI extends its gratitude to all the funders, sponsors and partners who helped to make Credit Union Music PEI Week 2019 a great success and offers huge congratulations to all the nominees and award winners.
Music PEI is the music industry association for the province of Prince Edward Island and its mandate is to assist PEI artists and industry professionals to develop sustainable careers. For further information contact Rob Oakie roboakie@musicpei.com.
